Weather Warning

Intertropical Convergence Zone active over Costa Rica due to indirect influence of Hurricane Beryl

July 03, 2024

9:30 a.m.

Diagnosis: Hurricane Beryl (currently Category 4) is located at this time, approximately 1050 km northeast of Puerto Limón. This system continues to move west-northwest at approximately 30 km/h and is expected to pass near the southern coast of Jamaica this Wednesday.

During the course of the day, the positioning and reactivation of the Intertropical Convergence Zone over our country is due to the indirect influence that Hurricane Beryl will exert in its transit through the north and northwest of the Caribbean Sea basin.

Forecast: The reactivation of the Intertropical Convergence Zone during the afternoon and evening hours of this Wednesday over our country will be manifested by the presence of cloudy conditions for the Pacific slope and the Central Valley. In addition, rain and showers are forecast on this slope (possible localized storm), with estimated amounts of 30 - 50 mm with maximums between 70 - 100 mm (especially near the coasts) in 12-hour periods. The most significant rainfall is expected between late afternoon and evening hours. There is a probability of fog and banks of mist in the Central Valley and mountainous areas of the Pacific from this afternoon until Thursday morning.

In the case of the Caribbean regions and lower parts of the Northern Zone, the presence of scattered showers accompanied by thunderstorms is estimated in the evening period, as well as near the coasts during the night period. The estimated amounts would be between 10 - 40 mm with maximums of 80 mm.

The probability of rain is estimated near the Pacific coasts, towards dawn and early hours of this Thursday.

Warning: The rains that may occur in urban areas can cause flash flooding and sewer saturation due to the high saturation of the soil. Saturated soils are present in the mountains of the South Pacific, low areas near the coasts of the Central Pacific and South Pacific, the mountains to the west and south of the Northern Zone, as well as both peninsulas. All regions are vulnerable to landslides and possible flooding.

Due to the above, the IMN recommends:

• Caution due to sewer saturation in places prone to this type of flooding.

• Prevention during electrical storms and seek shelter in a safe place in case of strong gusts of wind near storm clouds, due to the possible fall of tree branches, power lines, among others. These gusts can reach 80 km/h in some isolated cases.

• Stay informed through social media: Twitter: @IMNCR, Facebook: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional CR and the WEBSITE: www.imn.ac.cr

Jose Pablo Valverde Mora

Meteorologist

DMSA-IMN